3.7 |
Development of UK strategy and options, 1 February to 7 March
2003
1082.
Sir Jeremy
Greenstock reported that Mr Fischer had told Mr Straw
that: the
problem was
the US agenda of regime change and the timelines created by the
military
build-up.338
He could
not accept a resolution with language setting an ultimatum
plus
a trigger
because it would lead directly to war.
1083.
The UK, US
and Spain agreed a revised resolution to be tabled in
the
Security
Council on 7 March.
1084.
Following a
telephone call between Mr Straw and Secretary Powell, Sir
Jeremy
Greenstock
reported that the US was “relaxed about the exact language in the
second
resolution;
they will agree to what works for us”.339
1085.
The key
elements of the draft are set out in the Box below.340
The draft
resolution recalled the provisions of previous Security Council
resolutions
on Iraq
and noted that:
•
the Council
had “repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious
consequences
as a
result of its continued violations of its obligations”;
and
•
Iraq had
“submitted a declaration … containing false statements and
omissions
and has
failed to comply with, and co-operate fully in the implementation
of,
that resolution”.
The draft
stated that the Council:
“Mindful of
its primary responsibility under the Charter … for the
maintenance
of international
peace and stability;
“Recognising
the threat Iraq’s non-compliance with Council resolutions
and
proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles
poses
to international
peace and security;
“Determined
to secure full compliance with its decisions and to restore
international
peace and
security in the area;
“Acting
under Chapter VII …;
“Reaffirms
the need for full implementation of resolution 1441
(2002);
“Calls on
Iraq immediately to take the decisions necessary in the
interests
of its people
and the region;
338
Telegram
377 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 7 March 2003, ‘Iraq: Foreign
Secretary’s Meeting with
German
Foreign Minister, 6 March’.
339
Telegram
360 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 7 March 2003, ‘Iraq: Foreign
Secretary’s Meeting [sic]
with US
Secretary of State, New York, 6 March’.
340
Telegram
378 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 7 March 2003, ‘Iraq: Draft
Resolution’.
373